Common blue damselflies (E. cyathigerum) mating in the Garonne river, South West France - Photography and video

Video of common blue damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) mating by bank of the Garonne river, in South West France. Like other damselflies, they are sensitive to certain changes or factors in the environment and therefore make up an important link between the health of the aquatic ecosystem and its response to climate change. As bioindicators they can help scientists assess the quality of their habitat.

The mating process of damselflies includes the following stages:

1. The male produces a sperm packet from the tip (10th segment) of his abdomen, and then curls his abdomen under itself to deposit the packet in a small depression on the underside of his 2nd abdominal segment.

2. The male grabs the head of the female mid-air, with the claspers at the tip of his abdomen.

3. After a while, the female bends her abdomen below her and up under the male’s abdomen to pick up the sperm packet with her genital opening. At this stage, the mating pair forms a shape known as a "heart" or "wheel". They fly around in this position together for several minutes.